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At what distance do you forego the wetsuit?
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 2014-07-07 9:20 PM |
Extreme Veteran  1190    Silicon Valley |  Subject: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit?I am looking at a race in August where the water temp generally falls in the wetsuit allowed but not required range (low 70s). The swim is only 700 yards. Given that short of a distance does a wetsuit make sense? At what distance does the benefit become so small that the extra time in transition makes it no worth the effort? |
| 2014-07-07 9:27 PM in reply to: Stuartap |
643 | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? If you feel more comfortable wearing it (read: not too confident about the swim) then by all means wear the thing! I'd say anything lower than 1,000 yds/meter and you're probably losing time on trying to get the thing off. I know last year I was freaking out at my HIM and IM thinking the water temp would be too warm but it wasn't and I was able to wear mine. It helped my nerves a lot. This year, I'm confident enough to where I know I could do the swims without one if I had to. |
| 2014-07-07 9:30 PM in reply to: Blastman |
Extreme Veteran 3025 Maryland | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? never |
| 2014-07-07 9:37 PM in reply to: Blastman |
Extreme Veteran 1190 Silicon Valley | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by Blastman If you feel more comfortable wearing it (read: not too confident about the swim) then by all means wear the thing! I'd say anything lower than 1,000 yds/meter and you're probably losing time on trying to get the thing off. I know last year I was freaking out at my HIM and IM thinking the water temp would be too warm but it wasn't and I was able to wear mine. It helped my nerves a lot. This year, I'm confident enough to where I know I could do the swims without one if I had to. I probably should have added that I am a fishie. I am infinitely more comfortable swimming than running so I don't need it as way to help be get thru the swim. I know that I am still not as proficient as I should or could be getting the wetsuit off. So would I be just as well off not wearing it for such a short swim? |
| 2014-07-07 9:53 PM in reply to: Stuartap |
| Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? You should have the wetsuit almost all the way off by the time you get to your bike. So long as the wetsuit fits properly and you have put it on properly, a 700 yd swim at 70 ish degrees I am definitely wearing it. Whats the air temp going to be? For me (FOP swimmer) it's not the distance but a combo of water temp and air temp. There is a point where it might become dangerous. Also remember 70 degrees is still almost 30 degrees colder than body temps. You will spend energy trying to keep warm even if you don't feel cold. |
| 2014-07-07 10:07 PM in reply to: ChrisM |
Master 3888 Overland Park, KS | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? If you're talking about time then only you can really answer that question. The question you have to ask yourself is "do you feel lucky?". Oops, different forum. Some people may gain 30 seconds by wearing a wetsuit but lose more than 30 seconds dealing with it in transition. If you swim 30 seconds faster with it in your 700 yard swim and spend 20 seconds dealing with it, then that's a net gain of 10 seconds not to mention possibly using less energy during the swim. Some people will gain over a minute during a 700 yard swim. Strong swimmers with good body position will gain less with a wetsuit than weaker swimmers with poor body position, especially those with "sinking" legs. I've seen some people having trouble with the wetsuit (pulling the zipper down, pulling it off the legs over the timing chip etc.) which adds time so make sure you practice. At races around my neck of the woods if the water is just below the legal limit almost everyone wears one, including the stronger swimmers. |
| 2014-07-07 10:19 PM in reply to: reecealan |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? I think it has more to do with how much you care about the race. If I save 10 seconds, but it's a pain in the butt to deal with and I'm in the middle of the pack anyway... I might leave it at home. How much does a few seconds either way really matter? How much do you dislike your wetsuit that you'd even bother to ask? |
| 2014-07-08 5:37 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
| Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? I save about 10 seconds per 100 in a wetsuit. It takes approximately 10-15 seconds to take the thing off in transition (usually less) If the swim is 200 yards, it's worth it to wear the wetsuit. Simple. |
| 2014-07-08 6:19 AM in reply to: DanielG |
Extreme Veteran 528 Severna Park, MD | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by DanielG I save about 10 seconds per 100 in a wetsuit. It takes approximately 10-15 seconds to take the thing off in transition (usually less) If the swim is 200 yards, it's worth it to wear the wetsuit. Simple. exactly my logic. x2 |
| 2014-07-08 7:41 AM in reply to: pburnett |
Member 1004 | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? That really depends on how fast you are at getting you're wetsuit off as opposed to how much time it saves you. It takes me 10 - 15 seconds to take off the wetsuit so if it saves me more than 10 - 15 seconds on the swim, I use it (which is for any race that it is legal). It only takes a little practise to get efficient at pulling it down around your knees, yanking your legs up so it around your ankles, and then stepping on the empty leg part with one leg while you pull up with the other to pop it off the ankle. |
| 2014-07-08 7:55 AM in reply to: b2run |
Veteran 2842 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Agree with the math on time savings. Another point to consider, though, is decreased energy use on the swim even at the same speed. If you have good body position and the like, it might not save a ton of time (although if you're counting every second it usually still is a net positive to wear), but it can decrease the energy used to complete the distance (both for heat, as mentioned above, and "easier" mechanics). If it's legal and you care about time, it's almost always worth wearing it (IMO). If you don't care about a few seconds here or there, then do what's most fun! Matt |
| 2014-07-08 8:08 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
| Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Might skip it for a supersprint, but in a sprint on up I'm using it. An exception has been if I'm testing how I'm doing for a later event that won't use a wetsuit. |
| 2014-07-08 9:04 AM in reply to: 0 |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? I watched 9 girls of a lead pack in a draft legal race get out of the water together. Two of them did not have wetsuits.....they were out of transition about 10-15 seconds ahead of the girls in suits. It was only a 375 swim. If you are good at getting out of your wetsuit, that's about what it will cost you getting it off....10-15 seconds. ETA - I should add....if you don't know how to strip out of your wetsuit....it could take minutes. LOL Edited by Left Brain 2014-07-08 9:11 AM |
| 2014-07-08 9:12 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? I save about 5 seconds per hundred, so anything under 400-450 yards I don't bother with a wetsuit. If it were 600-700 yards and 77° water temp I would probably no use it either. |
| 2014-07-08 9:17 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
| 1300 | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? I only wear one in a sprint due to water and or air temp. The speed benefit vs stripping off the wet suit is minamal for me. I may gain a small advantage by wearing one in a sprint but I'd just rather not have to strip it off. Anything longer I would wear one if I could. |
| 2014-07-08 9:58 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
Regular 589 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? I wear my wetsuit every race, regardless of distance. For me, I'm just sticking with the "don't do anything different on race day" mantra. |
| 2014-07-08 10:05 AM in reply to: pburnett |
Expert 1224 Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by pburnett Originally posted by DanielG I save about 10 seconds per 100 in a wetsuit. It takes approximately 10-15 seconds to take the thing off in transition (usually less) If the swim is 200 yards, it's worth it to wear the wetsuit. Simple. exactly my logic. x2
Yep. This ^^^^^
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| 2014-07-08 10:10 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
Expert 2355 Madison, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Lots of good comments here but one thing I failed to see. Speed is one factor to look at, Heat and water temperature is another. If you are racing in a race that has a high air temp 85+ or the water temp is comfortable (subjective to everyone) but lets say 75. It might be worth considering if that wetsuit really is advantageous. In other words, will the time gained and less energy expended trump the possibility of overheating in the swim? This may not be for everyone, but for bigger unit athletes, or athletes that tend to heat up rather quickly it is important to consider if wearing 5mm of rubber will serve you best in the long run. This is also another reason why a sleeveless suit is a great option. |
| 2014-07-08 10:20 AM in reply to: bcagle25 |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by bcagle25 Lots of good comments here but one thing I failed to see. Speed is one factor to look at, Heat and water temperature is another. If you are racing in a race that has a high air temp 85+ or the water temp is comfortable (subjective to everyone) but lets say 75. It might be worth considering if that wetsuit really is advantageous. In other words, will the time gained and less energy expended trump the possibility of overheating in the swim? This may not be for everyone, but for bigger unit athletes, or athletes that tend to heat up rather quickly it is important to consider if wearing 5mm of rubber will serve you best in the long run. This is also another reason why a sleeveless suit is a great option. Good comment. At Chicago the water was in the low to mid 60's.....but the elite athlete race, at least for the males, was not wetsuit legal because of the high humidity. You can cook in that thing if you have a big engine. |
| 2014-07-08 10:38 AM in reply to: bcagle25 |
| Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by bcagle25 Lots of good comments here but one thing I failed to see. Speed is one factor to look at, Heat and water temperature is another. If you are racing in a race that has a high air temp 85+ or the water temp is comfortable (subjective to everyone) but lets say 75. It might be worth considering if that wetsuit really is advantageous. In other words, will the time gained and less energy expended trump the possibility of overheating in the swim? This may not be for everyone, but for bigger unit athletes, or athletes that tend to heat up rather quickly it is important to consider if wearing 5mm of rubber will serve you best in the long run. This is also another reason why a sleeveless suit is a great option. I ended up getting a sleeveless for longer races and water temps above 70. |
| 2014-07-08 10:41 AM in reply to: Swimbikeron |
Extreme Veteran 1190 Silicon Valley | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by Swimbikeron I wear my wetsuit every race, regardless of distance. For me, I'm just sticking with the "don't do anything different on race day" mantra. Just so I am clear, do you wear a wetsuit for every practice? If not, aren't you doing something on race day that you don't do any other time? |
| 2014-07-08 11:06 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
Extreme Veteran 1190 Silicon Valley | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Lots of good comments here. That's why I love BT, I always learn something. So taking the comments into consideration I looked at the expected temp (assuming there is any validity to a forecast over a month away). The high for the day will be approaching 90. No detail at to what it might be early in the day. Based on what I have learned here and what I know about myself, I am still leaning towards not wearing a wetsuit. Here is my rationale: 1. I am an excellent swimmer. While a wetsuit is faster the differential is not huge. 2. Water temps in the 70s are something I am quite comfortable with. 3. I do swim hot (yes I sweat when I am swim training). 4. It's going to be a hot day. 5. It's only 700 yards. I may be crazy and may change my mind but for now, that's where I'm at. Thanks for all the insights. |
| 2014-07-08 12:34 PM in reply to: Stuartap |
Member 1004 | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by Stuartap Originally posted by Swimbikeron I wear my wetsuit every race, regardless of distance. For me, I'm just sticking with the "don't do anything different on race day" mantra. Just so I am clear, do you wear a wetsuit for every practice? If not, aren't you doing something on race day that you don't do any other time? I've wondered the same thing and experimented a bit. My conclusion is that you should practise enough with the wetsuit so that you're comfortable with it. Then practise without it, maybe sticking in a wetsuit practice once in a while. It helps me with technique to practise without and then I get a bonus in the race when I have it on and it doesn't seem to mess up my technique. |
| 2014-07-08 1:20 PM in reply to: Stuartap |
Expert 3126 Boise, ID | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by Stuartap Lots of good comments here. That's why I love BT, I always learn something. So taking the comments into consideration I looked at the expected temp (assuming there is any validity to a forecast over a month away). The high for the day will be approaching 90. No detail at to what it might be early in the day. Based on what I have learned here and what I know about myself, I am still leaning towards not wearing a wetsuit. Here is my rationale: 1. I am an excellent swimmer. While a wetsuit is faster the differential is not huge. 2. Water temps in the 70s are something I am quite comfortable with. 3. I do swim hot (yes I sweat when I am swim training). 4. It's going to be a hot day. 5. It's only 700 yards. I may be crazy and may change my mind but for now, that's where I'm at. Thanks for all the insights. Given this info I would likely skip the wetsuit. There is a local sprint I have done a few times around here. It is in August so air temps by the time you get to the run can be 90-100. The water is comfortable without a suit, even in the morning. The swim is only 500 yards. I have never worn a wetsuit for this race and I don't see a circumstance where I would. Not worth the hassle in transition and/or the possibility of being too warm. I run hot anyway so coming out of the swim and onto the bike a bit cool is better for me anyway. |
| 2014-07-09 9:33 AM in reply to: Stuartap |
Regular 589 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: At what distance do you forego the wetsuit? Originally posted by Stuartap Originally posted by Swimbikeron I wear my wetsuit every race, regardless of distance. For me, I'm just sticking with the "don't do anything different on race day" mantra. Just so I am clear, do you wear a wetsuit for every practice? If not, aren't you doing something on race day that you don't do any other time? Race day routine is always the same. I'll take my wetsuit to the pool at times for part of a workout, but when the water there is 82+, I avoid long or frequent use in a heated pool. |
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